Onion Rings

There is nothing like homemade onion rings to accompany a hamburger or steak; especially if it comes with a really good dipping sauce. Well, I love onion rings and a kicking side sauce. I usually don't share this recipe, but since I've been asked by many to come up with this recipe, I decided to share my own recipe. Here it is.  I have to warn you, it is a time consuming and sloppy recipe, but well worth it in the end.

Be prepared to soak onions in a milk bath for a minimum of 1 hour. This is a double dip type of recipe, which means once you drain the milk from the onion, you'll dip it into the seasoned flour, then quickly dip into the batter, then fry it up.  As I said, it is a sloppy recipe, but worth every minute of sloppiness.

Ingredients and Directions: 

First things first, Prepare your onions

Cut up 4 Vidalia Onions (you can use regular onions, but the taste is better with Vidalia) into rings and separate them into a bowl, cover with cold milk. Let this stand for an hour.

Meanwhile, prepare your dipping sauce and place in fridge to chill while you create your onion rings.

Dipping Sauce
1/2 cup mayo
4 teaspoons of ketchup
2 teaspoons of horseradish
1/2 teaspoon of paprika
1/4 teaspoon salt
dash dried oregano
dash of white pepper
dash of cayenne

Next, prepare your Seasoned Flour 

2 cups flour
5 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne

Next, mix up that Batter

1 bottle of beer ( You don't have to worry about the alcohol content, that burns off during cooking)
1 teaspoon of salt
3 teaspoons of paprika
3 teaspoons of garlic (minced fresh if possible, or you can use dried)
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup cornstarch

Now lets make some onion rings. 

Have your pot or fryer hot and ready for action. If you're using a deep pot, be sure that your vegetable oil is hot enough for frying.  

Drain your onion pieces just before you begin this process, you need that milk slightly clinging to your pieces of onion to allow the flour to stick to it. Dip your onion rings into the dried seasoned flour and then into the batter, coating completely. Then gently place in the hot oil, please be very careful not to burn yourself. I actually use long tongs during the process of placing the onion rings into the hot oil. Cook in the oil until golden brown. Usually takes about 3-5 minutes.  

Serve with the dipping sauce and Enjoy!